Australia Holds Its First Funeral in a “Living Coffin” Made from Mushrooms and Hemp

Australia has held its first-ever burial using an unusual and eco-friendly coffin made from fungi and hemp. A 70-year-old woman named Carolyn became the first person in the country to be buried in what is known as a “Living Cocoon.” Her funeral service was held in Faulconbridge, with the burial taking place at Springwood Cemetery in the picturesque Blue Mountains.

The innovative coffin was developed by Dutch biotechnology company Loop Biotech.

The coffin is made from mycelium — the underground root-like network of fungi — and recycled hemp fibers. Its interior can be lined with a choice of natural materials, including soft moss, wool or organic cotton.

Growing one of these eco-friendly coffins takes just seven days, while after burial it naturally decomposes and returns to the earth in an average of 45 days.

Mycelium plays a key role in decomposition and soil nourishment, acting as a natural catalyst that encourages new life and enriches the soil with carbon.

Carolyn’s family chose the Living Cocoon as a tribute to her love of nature and her lifelong desire to help others. “It’s so much like Carolyn. She was always ready to help other people,” her husband, Donald, said. “It feels very right that even after her death, she continues to do good and give something back to nature.”

Similar mushroom-based coffins have already been used in the United Kingdom, but this marks the first such burial in Australia.

Loop Biotech founder Bob Hendrikx noted that just five years ago, the concept seemed like little more than a bold idea dreamed up by students at Delft University of Technology. Today, he says, families around the world have the opportunity to leave behind a positive legacy.

In the UK, the coffins cost between £2,595 and £2,803, while the final price in Australia depends on funeral providers, logistics and the package of services selected.